Introduction

You are about to begin a Web Quest that has been designed to provide you with a greater understanding of Jack London's The Call of the Wild. You will be collecting information from a variety of Internet sources and putting together a booklet.


Task

Using the suggested Web pages, and those you find by using search engines, complete each research task and compile your information in a PowerPoint which must includes text, pictures, and design elements. You can work with one other person or by yourself to that the required information.


Process

1. Buck is half Scottish shepherd dog and half St. Bernard. Research these two breeds and list the qualities that Buck might have inherited from his parents that might have helped him adjust to his new life as a sled dog. List two or three characteristics which might have made his adaptation more difficult. List two or three characteristics which might have made his adaptation easy. Include pictures of each breed and a picture of a mixed breed dog, who in your opinion, might look like Buck. Do not use pictures from the cover of The Call of the Wild.

http://puppydogweb.com/dogs/collie.htm

http://puppydogweb.com/gallery/index.htm

http://www.saintbernardclub.org/

2. The California Gold Rush led to Buck's kidnapping. This quest for gold was not an easy one. Research the Klondike gold rush and read about the difficulties that the miners faced. Find a sample letter that was sent home (remember quotation marks). Respond/Reflect on the letter found in one to two sentences. How was this person/miner/prospector dealing with the environment and the search for gold?

http://www.postalmuseum.si.edu/gold/stampederletters.html

3. Not all the women who headed north for gold were as inept as the one you will see in our reading, Mercedes. Research one of the actual women who took part in the gold rush, and write a short essay telling how she would have won Buck's respect. Include a picture.

http://www.postalmuseum.si.edu/gold/women.html

http://www.uaf.edu/museum/exhibits/tog/mania.html

4. Copy/Save the out a map of the Klondike region as an image to but with your presentation. This is the route Buck went during his journey in our reading.

http://www.nps.gov/klgo/planyourvisit/upload/KlondikeRoutes.pdf


It is suggested that you divide the following tasks to each other to move the process/project along.

Role1

Description

Your role is to pull up the suggested Web Sites and search for the information needed to complete your tasks. You will work closely with the writer. Although you will find the information pages, group members will decide together what should be included in your final product

Internet Links


Role2

Writer

You will work with the researcher and write the text that is required for your tasks. Your work will be done in first draft form and then passed to the Editor for revision.

Internet Links


Role3

Editor

You will take the writer's first draft and revise CAREFULLY for sentence, punctuation, and grammar errors. You will look for opportunities to add high level vocabulary words, and a variety of sentences. You will be responsible for typing. You will work closely with the artist.

Internet Links

Other Resources


Role4

Artist

Your job will be to find the pictures, and add color and design to enhance your project. You will work closely with the editor to plan the layout of your pages. You will also draw Buck's route on the map, although every group member should be a part of deciding what route he took, based on your reading.

Internet Links

Other Resources


Evaluation

Your Web Quest work will need to have a finish product. It will be considered a large part of this unit; therefore, it is important that you do a thorough job on this project. You will be evaluated on your information, your writing skills, and the creativity of your presentation.


Conclusion

Has the Web Quest helped you better understand the world into which Buck found himself after he was kidnapped? Do you think he adapted well to his circumstances? Did Buck go "up" or "down" the evolutionary ladder? Explain your answer using information from the text.